Divemaster

A Divemaster is a diving qualification used throughout most of the world in recreational scuba diving for a diver who has overall responsibility for a group of divers. As well as being a generic term, Divemaster also refers to the lowest professional rating of many training agencies, such as PADI, SSI, SDI, NASE, except NAUI, which rates a NAUI Divemaster just under an Instructor but above an Assistant Instructor.

The BSAC equivalent is somewhere between Dive Leader and Advanced Diver, although differences in emphasis exist.

The certification is a pre-requisite for becoming an instructor in recreational diving with most agencies except NAUI, because of the superior position of the NAUI Divemaster in the NAUI hierarchy.

Role

The role of a Divemaster can be varied, but will predominantly encompass the following roles:

• Organizing, conducting and supervising recreational diving activities (but not training), both shore and boat based.
• Assisting instructors in conducting training programs and activities for certified divers.
• Generally supervising non-training related diving activities by planning, organizing and directing dives.
  • assessing the hazards of a dive site and informing the divers of the hazards,
  • briefing divers on the layout and points of interest of a dive site,
  • suggesting routes for a dive at a specific site for autonomous divers,
  • checking divers into and out of the water from a boat or shore entry point,
  • leading a group of divers in the water as a tour guide.
• Within the limits of some agencies, Divemasters may:
  • act as instructional assistants to instructors.
  • supervise participants in experience programs for uncertified divers.
  • teach and certifying skin divers and snorkellers.
  • conduct scuba review programs for certified divers.

Responsibility and legal position

The legal duty of care of a divemaster to a clients varies according to the legislation of the country, where it is often poorly defined. The use of waivers and/or assumption of risk forms that are intended to minimize legal accountability of divemasters is a common practice, but the validity of such waivers will vary with the legislation.

Equivalence in other modes of diving

Technical diving

In technical diving, divers are assumed to be competent and responsible for their own safety or the safety of the team of which they are members to the extent that is agreed by that team. However it is not unusual for a technical team or expedition group to appoint one of their number as a team leader or surface dive marshall, but the surface marshall is often more of an administrative position, who will check divers into and out of the water, and the dive team leader is more the navigator, or the person in front of the group than someone making safety decisions for other divers.

NAUI has a Technical Support Leader course that is designed to train NAUI Divemasters and Assistant Instructors who are also technical divers in this role.

Professional diving

Professional divers generally work in teams which have one or more divers in the water and a supervisor on the surface, with one or more assistants for handling lifelines, umbilicals, communications, gas panels and other support equipment, and a standby diver who is responsible for assisting or rescuing the in-water divers in an emergency. In these circumstances the supervisor has a high level of responsibility for the safety of the dive team and anyone else on site.

Employment opportunities and conditions

Divemasters, in theory, have the ability to work in holiday destinations in many parts of the world. They may work in diving resorts, private yachts, cruise ships and dive centres – anywhere where there is a demand for diving, however, it is rare for Divemasters to be paid for their efforts, usually they work for tips, the experience, and/or discounts on equipment purchases.

Many Divemasters also work in retail dive facilities and assist the instructor with training and supervision.

Training

During Divemaster training, candidates learn dive leadership skills through both classroom, independent study and practical training exercises. Some Divemaster programs require an internship program too. They complete water skills and stamina exercises, as well as training exercises that stretch their ability to organize and solve problems as well as help others to improve their abilities.

Candidates put this knowledge into action through a structured internship or a series of practical training exercises. Some programs will include the candidate assisting in actual diving programs with real diving students. Other programs can be run as role playing and involve other Divemaster candidates, rather than real students.

Divemasters can develop to Divemaster level through two different methods. Either through progressing along the recreational levels of diving, or through Divemaster internships that fast-track the candidate to Divemaster level by having them become involved in the training facility where they are training.

PADI and SDI Divemaster candidates must have reached the following minimum requirements prior to their Divemaster training:

• Open Water Diver Course (or qualifying certification from another training organization)
• Advanced Open Water Diver Course (or qualifying certification from another training organization)
• Rescue Diver Course
• First Aid & CPR Training (preferably with [Automated External Defibrillator] training)
• 40 Logged dives
• Submit a Medical Statement Signed by a physician within the last 12 months.

NASE requires Divemaster candidates to also have demonstrated competency in physics, physiology, skills and environment, dive planning and equipment prior to entering a program.

PADI Divemasters must have completed 60 logged dives prior to certification as PADI Divemaster.

Divemaster is a key skill and knowledge acquisition stepping stone, and is also the first "professional" certification. While most agencies have a straight-line progression from Divermaster up through Instructor, NAUI's approach is different, a core of leadership-level skills and knowledge is housed in two "non-professional" courses, the NAUI Master Scuba Diver and NAUI Scuba Rescue Diver courses, the theory being that this material should be accessible by divers who have no interest in "going pro." NAUI permits divers with evidence of equivalent training and experience to participate in NAUI Divemaster training after then they pass the NAUI Master Scuba Diver written examination.

NAUI Divemaster Candidates must either have 60 logged dives prior to acceptance into the course or hold a NAUI Assistant Instructor Certificate.